Page 98 of Riv's Sanctuary

He motioned to the dehydrated meat instead of finishing what he was about to say. "That needs water."

Her eyes flew to the meat and she picked it up, garnering Grot's attention.

"Not for you, doggo." She patted the tevsi on the head and Grot whimpered.

Grot whimpered.

He'd never heard Grot whimper.

"This is for your master."

That stopped his thoughts in their tracks.

What?

For a few moments he just looked at her as she put the dehydrated meat into some water.

"You're preparing sustenance...for me?" He regained the ability to speak.

Her eyes darted to him for a second. "It's the least I can do."

He wanted to ask why but all he could do was stare at her.

This was too…comfortable.

Maybe he'd given her the wrong idea by not pushing to get rid of her at the exchange?

Permanent residency at his Sanctuary was not possible. He was still intent on finding a place for her to go.

She seemed to not be aware of that.

And what was worse, these unexpected actions of hers…they made him feel strange.

Backing away, he went to sit at the table, his eyes still wide as he stared at nothing before him.

He needed a minute.

What the phek was happening?

A few moments later, the human stepped in with a bowl of rai and braised meat.

She set it before him, a tune low in her throat as she hummed some melody.

He could only stare at her.

What was she doing?

Next, his gaze fell to the bowl before him and for a few moments, all he could do was look at it.

A warm, home-cooked meal was not something he’d expected this dark-cycle but there it was in front of him.

There was something about it, about not downing cans of Xurli energy fluid and rock cakes for dinner…

Whatever it was, it had him swallowing hard as the scent of the warm food wafted upwards into his nose.

This was what it felt like having a proper home-cooked meal.

When was the last time he and Sohut had shared such a thing?